Re: Self-organized Learning LO264

Myrna Casebolt (MYRNA@WP.DHSS.STATE.WI.US)
Mon, 27 Feb 1995 13:40:45 -0600

>>>>>>>Richard's response to Joe LO255 and Jack LO243;
Myrna's response to both >>>>>>>> Hi Guys....I'm on overload but could
not resist just one little comment! The whole notion that we can
empower is a global oxymoron, don't you think? Empowerment comes
from us; as leaders we can help to facilitate an environment that
enhances everyone's ability to tap into everyone's capacity to get in
touch with empowerment and use it straight forwardly. I think this is at
the root of the alleged resistance to acknowledging the learning
organization. It is the perception or allusion of control and/or power that
inhibits as well as frees our access to information, turned into
knowledge, turned into enlightenment, turned into application with one
another and demonstrating empowerment. Again, it is the morphogenic
resonance that leadership has to connect with and then, we'll all be
leaders in our own way in our own time and in our own space .- I did
not insert my comments at any special place....these are my thoughts
upon digesting the "gestalt". Thanks for your comments, your ears, your
minds and your time.....looking forward to more...... Myrna

Myrna J. Casebolt
Quality Improvement Consultant
Division of Care and Treatment Facilities
1 W. Wilson St. #550
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7851
(608) 267-3783 - phone
(608) 266-2579 - fax
MYRNA@WP.DHSS.STATE.WI.US - e-mail

Richard wrote in LO255:

[...snip...]
If the authority has been "granted" by a higher up, then it's not real
empowerment because it can be taken away at any time.

On a plane ride with Peter Senge a couple years ago, he was talking
about this. He said, "Real freedom cannot occur from someone giving it to
you. Because if it's given, then it can be taken away. Real freedom
comes only from an idea. From a principle. Our Declaration of
Independence says,
'We hold these truths to be self-evident...' "

> ...And finally, "If we believe all behavior to be
> essentially self-organizing (as I do) what can we possibly mean by
> leadership, and what is the function of hierarchy?"

Yes, and yet leadership certainly makes a difference in our
organizations. We really feel the yoke when leadership is poor. I think
the role of outstanding leadership is creating energy and enthusiasm,
creating an environment in which productive self-organizing takes place,
where there is shared vision and alignment.

> Jack Hirschfeld I like a Gershwin tune, how about you?
> jack@his.com

Richard Karash ("Rick") | (o) 508-879-8301 | Mac * Flying
Innovation Associates, Inc. | (fax) 508-626-2205 | Systems Thinking
3 Speen St, Framingham MA 01701 | rkarash@world.std.com | Std.
Disclaimer


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